Soldier's Stories

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The Civil War Diary of Lt. George Norris
19th Mississippi Infantry
March 24-March 27,1862 (cont'd)



Friday - April 18th 1862
Considerable firing on our right last night about 2 oclock. False alarm & suppose as it so ceased. About normal from a Regt - Ordered to take our position on the left of our Regt and on the right of a 12 pound Howitzer - Richmond. A 24 pound Howitzer just in our rear. Saw a Yesterdays paper. The Yankees reported to have possession of Huntsville Ala. The fine Railroad bridge at Decatur burnt by our troops & the bridge at Bridgeport - Yankees claim a victory at Corinth - the second fight but say nothing of the 1st battle. They report their loss to 20,000 killed-wounded & missing and our loss to be 40,000. Maj Genl Sherman - 4 brigadiers and several Colonels killed and Maj Gen Buell mortally wounded. Maj Genl Halleck in command. Genl Mitchell’s division at Huntsville 11,000 troops - Infantry, cavalry & artillery. Genl Beauregard reports our victory to be greater in the second than in the first fight. The Yankees report that they have taken Island No. 10, 1 Maj Genl, 4 Brigadiers and several colonels - 50 captains 61 1st Lieutenants & 80 2nd Lts and 5000 troops their arms & accouterments - 200 cannons - 40,000 rounds cartridges - 1000 wagons and 2000 horses & mules. A grand military fabrication for English ears pathetic. A newspaper lie - An order from Genl Magruder for officers to send off his baggage or lose it as not a pound would be hauled. Went into Camp with Capt Malone after night and returned after night. Met with Bil Tate Knoxubee Rifles 11th Miss.


Saturday - April 19th 1862
Everything still on last night. No shots fired. Yankee balloons up this morning. A dark and cloudy morning. Fired several shots at us today. Struck the embankment near us. Had to lie in the trenches all day. Heard of the most singular occurrence yet chronicled in the war. Genl Magruder sent over a flag of truce for permission to bury the Yankee dead in the last skirmish. 30 bodies buried and 20 out of 30 shot though the head. Yankees getting bolden shot several shots at us on the breastwork. Genl Joe Johnson made a round inspecting the works.


Sunday - April 20th 1862
Rained all of last night. Got perfectly wet. Slept but very little. A heavy attack made on the right but were repulsed. Raining nearly all day. Have to lie in the muddy ditches awful terrible suffering. Ordered to fire off our loaded guns. A miserable Easter Sunday. Hope never to spend such another day. Yankees erecting a fortified location opposite this dam. Expect to be shelled by the rascals tomorrow. Our Generals think the Yankees intend to come on us by gradual approaches. Johnson here in Comp. Turned very cold and windy. Ordered to go on Picket duty.


Monday - April 21st 1862
Went over on Picket about 8 oclock. Rained nearly all night and blew a perfect “Norther”. Came near freezing to death. Rained all day & set for hour after hour in the rain thinking of the gloominess of political position. The dark and lowering brow of the heavens a fit comparison of our own position. Heard that the “signal victory” at Corinth had diminished down to 3000 prisoners & 14 pieces of artillery. The Yankees very sly suppose to be erecting fortifications. Relieved about 9 oclock by Companies 14th NC Regt. Had a muddy wet tramp to get back. The Yankees fired a shell at us which came near sending more than one of us to our long home. Have spent a miserable day.

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From Robert E. Lee's Letters:

From his memorandum book the following entries were taken:

"October 17, 1859. Received orders from the Secretary of War in person,to repair in evening train to Harper's Ferry.

"Reached Harper's Ferry at 11 P.M.... Posted marines in the United
States Armory. Waited until daylight, as a number of citizens were
held as hostages, whose lives were threatened. Tuesday about sunrise,with twelve marines, under Lieutenant Green, broke in the door of the engine-house, secured the insurgents, and relieved the prisoners unhurt. All the insurgents killed or mortally wounded, but four, John Brown, Stevens, Coppie, and Shields."

Brown was tried and convicted and sentenced to be hanged on December 2,1859.

Colonel Lee writes as follows to his wife:

"Harper's Ferry, December 1, 1859.

"I arrived here, dearest Mary, yesterday about noon, with four companies from Fort Monroe, and was busy all the evening and night getting accommodation for the men, etc., and posting sentinels and piquets to insure timely notice of the approach of the enemy. The night has passed off quietly. The feelings of the community seem to be calmed down, and I have been received with every kindness. Mr. Fry is among the officers from Old Point. There are several young men, former acquaintances of ours, as cadets, Mr. Bingham of Custis's class, Sam Cooper, etc., but the senior officers I never met before, except Captain Howe, the friend of our Cousin Harriet R---.

"I presume we are fixed her till after the 16th. To-morrow will
probably be the last of Captain Brown. There will be less interest
for the others, but still I think the troops will not be withdrawn
till they are similarly disposed of.

"Custis will have informed you that I had to go to Baltimore the evening I left you, to make arrangements for the transportation of the troops.... This morning I was introduced to Mrs. Brown, who, with a Mrs. Tyndall and a Mr. And Mrs. McKim, all from Philadelphia, had come on to have a last interview with her husband. As it is a matter over which I have no control I referred them to General Taliaferro [General William B. Taliaferro, commanding Virginia troops at Harper's Ferry].

ftp://ibiblio.org/pub/docs/books/gut...00/relee10.txt

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Another Lee Letter:

"Lexington, Virginia, February 25, 1868.

"Honourable Reverdy Johnson,

"United States Senate, Washington, D. C.

"My Dear Sir: My attention has been called to the official report of
the debate in the Senate of the United States, on the 19th instant,
in which you did my the kindness to doubt the correctness of the
statement made by the Honourable Simon Cameron, in regard to myself.
I desire that you may feel certain of my conduct on the occasion
referred to, so far as my individual statement can make you. I never
intimated to any one that I desired the command of the United States
Army; nor did I ever have a conversation with but one gentleman, Mr.
Francis Preston Blair, on the subject, which was at his invitation,
and, as I understood, at the instance of President Lincoln. After
listening to his remarks, I declined the offer that he made me, to
take command of the army that was to be brought into the field; stating,as candidly and courteously as I could, that, though opposed to secession and deprecating war, I could take no part in an invasion of the Southern States. I went directly from the interview with Mr. Blair to the office of General Scott; told him of the proposition that had been made to me, and my decision. Upon reflection after returning to my home, I concluded that I ought no longer to retain the commission I held in the United States Army, and on the second morning thereafter I forwarded my resignation to General Scott. At the time, I hoped that peace would have been preserved; that some way would have been found to save the country from the calamities of war; and I then had no other intention than to pass the remainder of my life as a private citizen. Two days afterward, upon the invitation of the Governor of Virginia, I repaired to Richmond; found that the Convention then in session had passed the ordinance withdrawing the State from the Union; and accepted the commission of commander of its forces, which was tendered me.

"These are the ample facts of the case, and they show that Mr. Cameron has been misinformed.

"I am with great respect,

"Your obedient servant,

"R. E. Lee."

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These entries were submitted by a son of Robert E. Lee:

On November 24, 1862, in a letter to his daughter Mary, he writes:

"...General Burnside's whole army is apparently opposite Fredericksburg and stretches from the Rappahannock to the Potomac. What his intentions are he has not yet disclosed. I am sorry he is in position to oppress our friends and citizens of the Northern Neck. He threatens to bombard Fredericksburg, and the noble spirit displayed by its citizens, particularly the women and children, has elicited my highest admiration.

They have been abandoning their homes, night and day, during all this
inclement weather, cheerfully and uncomplainingly, with only such
assistance as our wagons and ambulances could afford, women, girls,
children, trudging through the mud and bivouacking in the open fields."

How the battle of Fredericksburg was fought and won all the world has
heard, and I shall not attempt to describe it. On December 11th, the
day Burnside commenced his attack, General Lee wrote to my mother:

"...The enemy, after bombarding the town of Fredericksburg, setting
fire to many houses and knocking down nearly all those along the river, crossed over a large force about dark, and now occupies the town. We hold the hills commanding it, and hope we shall be able to damage him yet. His position and heavy guns command the town entirely."

On December 16th, in another letter to my mother, he tells of the
recrossing of the Federals:

"I had supposed they were just preparing for battle, and was saving
our men for the conflict. Their hosts crown the hill and plain beyond the river, and their numbers to me are unknown. Still I felt the confidence we could stand the shock, and was anxious for the blow that is to fall on some point, and was prepared to meet it here. Yesterday evening I had my suspicions that they might return during the night, but could not believe they would relinquish their hopes after all their boasting and preparation, and when I say that the latter is equal to the former you will have some idea of the magnitude. This morning they were all safe on the north side of the Rappahannock. They went as they came--in the night. They suffered heavily as far as the battle went, but it did not go far enough to satisfy me. Our loss was comparatively slight, and I think will not exceed two thousand. The contest will have now to be renewed, but on what field I cannot say."

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Cont'd Letters of Robert E. Lee:

I did not see my father at any time during the fighting. some days
after it was all over, I saw him, as calm and composed as if nothing
unusual had happened, and he never referred to his great victory, except to deplore the loss of his brave officers and soldiers or the sufferings of the sick and wounded. He repeatedly referred to the hardships so bravely endured by the inhabitants of Fredericksburg, who had been obliged to flee from the town, the women and children, the old and the feeble, whose sufferings cut him to the heart. On Christmas Day he writes to his youngest daughter, Mildred, who was at school in North Carolina:

"...I cannot tell you how I long to see you when a little quiet occurs.
My thoughts revert to you, your sisters, and your mother; my heart
aches for our reunion. Your brothers I see occasionally. This morning Fitzhugh rode by with his young aide-de-camp (Rob) at the head of his brigade, on his way up the Rappahannock. You must study hard, gain knowledge, and learn your duty to God and your neighbour: that is the great object of life. I have no news, confined constantly to camp, and my thoughts occupied with its necessities and duties. I am, however, happy in the knowledge that General Burnside and army will not eat their promised Christmas dinner in Richmond to-day."

On the next day he writes as follows to his daughter Agnes, who was
with her mother in Richmond:

"Camp Fredericksburg, December 26, 1862.

"My Precious Little Agnes: I have not heard of you for a long time.
I wish you were with me, for always solitary, I am sometimes weary,
and long for the reunion of my family once again. But I will not
speak of myself, but of you.... I have seen the ladies in this vicinity only when flying from the enemy, and it caused me acute grief to witness their exposure and suffering. But a more noble spirit was never displayed anywhere. The faces of old and young were wreathed with smiles, and glowed with happiness at their sacrifices for the good of their country. Many have lost EVERYTHING. What the fire and shells of the enemy spared, their pillagers destroyed. But God will shelter them, I know. So much heroism will not be unregarded. I can only hold oral communication with your sister [His daughter Mary, in King George county, within the lines of the enemy], and have forbidden the scouts to bring any writing, and have taken some back that I had given them for her. If caught, it would compromise them. They only
convey messages. I learn in that way she is well.

"Your devoted father,

"R. E. Lee."

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Cont'd from a son of Robert E. Lee:

I give another letter he wrote on Christmas Day, besides the one
quoted above, to his daughter, Mildred. It was written to his wife,
and is interesting as giving an insight into his private feelings
and views regarding this great victory:

"...I will commence this holy day by writing to you. My heart is filled with gratitude to Almighty God for His unspeakable mercies with which He has blessed us in this day, for those He has granted us from the beginning of life, and particularly for those He has vouchsafed us during the past year. What should have become of us without His crowning help and protection? Oh, if our people would only recognise it and cease from vain self-boasting and adulation, how strong would be my belief in final success and happiness to our country! But what a cruel thing is war; to separate and destroy families and friends, and mar the purest joys and happiness God has granted us in this world; to fill our hearts with hatred instead of love for our neighbours, and to devastate the fair face of this beautiful world! I pray that, on this day when only peace and good-will are preached to mankind, better thoughts may fill the hearts of our enemies and turn them to peace.

Our army was never in such good health and condition since I have been attached to it. I believe they share with me my disappointment that the enemy did not renew the combat on the 13th. I was holding back all day and husbanding our strength and ammunition for the great
struggle, for which I thought I was preparing. Had I divined that was to have been his only effort, he would have had more of it. My heart bleeds at the death of every one of our gallant men."

One marked characteristic of my father was his habit of attending to
all business matters promptly. He was never idle, and what he had to
do he performed with care and precision. Mr. Custis, my grandfather,
had made him executor of his will, wherein it was directed that all
the slaves belonging to the estate should be set free after the
expiration of so many years. The time had now arrived, and
notwithstanding the exacting duties of his position, the care of his
suffering soldiers, and his anxiety about their future, immediate and
distant, he proceeded according to the law of the land to carry out
the provisions of the will, and had delivered to every one of the
servants, where it was possible, their manumission papers. From his
letters written at this time I give a few extracts bearing on this
subject:

"...As regards the liberation of the people, I wish to progress in it
as far as I can. Those hired in Richmond can still find employment
there if they choose. Those in the country can do the same or remain
on the farms. I hope they will all do well and behave themselves. I
should like, if I could, to attend to their wants and see them placed
to the best advantage. But that is impossible. All that choose can
leave the State before the war closes....

"...I executed the deed of manumission sent me by Mr. Caskie, and
returned it to him. I perceived that John Sawyer and James's names,
among the Arlington people, had been omitted, and inserted them. I
fear there are others among the White House lot which I did not
discover. As to the attacks of the Northern papers, I do not mind them, and do not think it wise to make the publication you suggest. If all the names of the people at Arlington and on the Pamunkey are not embraced in this deed I have executed, I should like a supplementary deed to be drawn up, containing all those omitted. They are entitled to their freedom and I wish to give it to them. Those that have been carried away, I hope are free and happy; I cannot get their papers to them, and they do not require them. I will give them if they ever call for them. It will be useless to ask their restitution to manumit them...."

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The Southern Democrat, 14 May 1931

Sixty-six years ago today after the surrender of the Civil War, Jim Taylor, Ike Compton, Morton Rogers, Will Rogers, Dall Whisant, D.R. Whisant, Tom Reed, James Beers and I left New Sansberry, N.C. The following day our noble and great General Wheeler made his speech, April 26, 1865. This great general spoke at the top of his voice—that we would have to surrender—that we had fought a hard fight and done all men could do. He thanked us all for being obedient and prompt in our service at Pendleton, S.C.

May 1, we 9 soldiers were on our horses, homeward bound. About 9 a.m. a bunch of Yankees came up from behind us and began to hollo "Halt, halt," and not one of us looked back as we thought them to be our own men. The galloped up behind us, when on of these blue and brass button fellows yelled out, "Halt there or we will shoot your d----- brains out." At that command we stopped in an instant and as we turned around, behold, what a bunch of Yankees we were facing. They captured us all and carried us to Anderson, S.C., which took all day. Here they kept us a day and night in guard.

Two or three white children and a many Negro children came to the Courthouse where we were held prisoners, with food for us. A crowd of drunken men, lying scattered around like hogs all over the floor and benches took this good meal, which contained hot biscuits, butter and coffee away from these little fellows. After awhile they returned with more food and a yankee behind them with pistol in his hand holloing for Wheeler's Cavalry. We answered and they handed this good meal to us. This was the second day of May, 1865, and was the first bite we had eaten from Monday morning until late Tuesday evening.

They let us out of guard about midnight. We came to the edge of town and spent the night with a young married man and his wife. From here we started on our homeward journey for the second time the following morning—all afoot, as the Yankees had taken our horses away from us. We walked to Social Circle, Ga. Which took us some few days. Here we got on the train and rode to that great town of Atlanta, which contained nothing but a mass of ashes and a few old pieced-up shacks scattered around. Here we spent the night and the following morning we got a train to West Point, Ga., Which is right on the line of Alabama and Georgia. Here we divided. Six of us went together, all afoot, for our dear old homes at Hagood's Cross Roads in Jefferson County. These men all bid me good bye and with a handshake that has stayed warm all these years we divided for the last time on our war path; these men going in the directions of their homes. I cam straight on up the Huntsville and Blountsville road to my home which was with my aged mother. That same plot contains my home today.

This journey from Anderson, S.C. to our homes was made in 13 days. I arrived home May 15, 1865, just as the sun was sinking over the western hills.

I am now in my 86th year and if any of these old comrades are living I do not know it.

A.R. Hudson

The Southern Democrat, 27 Aug 1931

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In June, 1863, I left home. The most sacred place on earth to me. Was gone two years lacking a few days. During that time I had may ups and downs, trials and hardships. I will mention a few of them.

The first skirmish with the foe was at Pensacola, Florida, the next at Mobile, Alabama. I spent one year in Alabama and Florida. In November, 1864 we went to Tennessee. Had a battle at Paris, one at Johnsonville, and one at Columbia. The worst battle I was in at Franklin, the next at Nashville. We were overpowered and had to retreat. Then it was a general skirmish till we crossed the Tennessee River. Then we were ordered to go to Pensacola, Florida. Got to Greenville, Alabama and got orders to turn back and meet the enemy at Selma. We met them at a little place the name of Benton. Had a hard fight then me and five others was behind breast works that we made out of rails and was so busy shooting when the order to retreat came we failed to hear it. We were on the extreme right next to a swamp. We ran into it and save ourselves from being captured. Lost our horses and left there afoot. In yankeedom, we crawled up on some big white oak roots out of the mud and water to rest and decide what to do. There was no chance to get to our command so we decided to try to get home, and did. Peace was declared when we got home and the armies disbanded and we didn't have to go back. So that is a brief history of my time spend while in the war. I could give a history of the many close places and narrow escapes which would no doubt be interesting for many to read. If I were to give a history of all that occurred, it would look unreasonable to some so I will omit writing at present. W.O. McCay

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I was carried from Montgomery to Selma, then from Selma to Mobile by water, and we drilled on the siege pieces which was nine feet long. It required six men to turn one gun. We went through practicing, loading, and shooting. We went on "desperado" ever evening. To my recollection we were in Mobile three months. We were carried across the bay 12 miles from Mobile. We went into battle at Tennasaw. I am not sure I am correct in the place, but were engaged in two days shooting and fighting. Went on picket the first night, and six of us got so close to the enemy, that they killed my orderly sergeant and wounded my second lieutenant. I and two other men were all that escaped. I had never been on picket before. A "Texican" officer came along and we got one of his men to stay with us. Then we were relieved from there and carried to Blakely and fought a severe battle that lasted two days. Then finally captured and carried to Ship Island. This island was about seven miles long, and it was there we suffered. Camped on a sand bar surrounded by salt water. The only water we had to drink we had to dig about two feet in the sand, and wait until the water would seep in, and had to do our cooking on one half of a canteen. The sea breezes would come at night and we would almost freeze to death. Just had one thin blanket to use. We were guarded by Negroes, and was cruelly treated. They killed one man because he walked out of his tent, and shot at another because he was washing his clothes in the lake. When this was done, had it been that we could have had guns, we would have put an end to the Negroes on this island. We were here at the surrender. My mother was a widow, and I had three older brothers that volunteered and went to the Army before I did. I was the only one left to support my mother, or I would have been there earlier. I volunteered and made the fourth one of my mother's family that was in the war, me and my older brother got back, and the other two died in the Army.

Dallas Morton

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Yes, I joined with a free good will. It was my delight. I went in on my birthday and we had lots of fun with lots of pretty girls. But gee, we had lots of walking to do but I enjoyed that. We would go to bed and it would rain all night and I would get up and wring a gallon of water out of my blanket and hike it. It put me in the mind of a wild hog but you can bet on us having the fun. When we entered battle at the left of Atlanta, Georgia the bullets rained like hail. We had no time for fun then. Captain Russell was my captain at that time. Captain Sapp was my first captain but he was dead at the time of this battle. He was buried at Mobile, Alabama. Gee, the boys of this day won't do like we boys did. If they will listen to me I can learn them something. If you want to hear any more of the war just come down and I will tell it all to you if you will stay a week.
Yours truly, F.K. Thomas, Company F, 29th Alabama inf
1924

Was in two battles, the first battle between Atlanta and Dalton and we fought at Kennesaw Mountain.